One Wednesday, West Bromwich Albion announced that we had now tied down one of our highly rated Academy graduates to a new long term deal, and it came in the shape of England youth goalkeeper Josh Griffiths.
The 18-year-old from Hereford has contracted up to the club until the summer of 2023, and he’s just returned from training with the England Under 20 squad, having been capped at Under 18 level and given how the club rate his potential, he did spend pre-season working alongside first teamers Sam Johnstone and Jonathan Bond, and he continues to mix in despite Ali Al-Habsi now joining our ranks.
Talented teenage goalkeeper Josh Griffiths has signed a four-year contract at The Hawthorns. ✍🏼
Congratulations, Josh!#WBA https://t.co/A6s4kNR02W
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) September 11, 2019
Speaking to wba.co.uk as the club announced his new deal, senior goalkeeping coach Gary Walsh was clearly delighted with the news.
“It’s great for the Club and it’s great for Josh. Apart from his potential, he’s a terrific lad who is really grounded and that’s a big credit to him, the Club and everyone who has worked with him. He’s working alongside the three senior keepers now and he is like a sponge listening to all their advice. They want to help him because he is such a genuine young man. The biggest compliment I can pay him is that I keep forgetting he’s 18. His potential is there for us all to see – but now he has got to keep working and I am sure he will do.”
Sporting and Technical Director Luke Dowling added.
“When you hear Dwight Gayle complaining he can never beat him and Jake Livermore checking on whether we have got him tied down on a contract, you know you’ve got a talent on your hands. It’s been important for us to get Josh settled on a long deal because we know of at least one Premier League club who were trying to lure him away. I’m delighted he has committed to us and looking forward to see him progress still further.”
Sounds extremely promising and at least it’s a highly rated talent we don’t have to worry about losing cheaply for the next few years!
Congratulations Josh!! Thoroughly deserved..
— Dave Lawrence (@DaveLawrence84) September 11, 2019
Excellent choice young man…..????????
— Steve (@boingboingste) September 11, 2019
Cracking news
— Dominic Hill (@DomHill83) September 11, 2019
Congratulations Josh !!????????????????
— jon pugh (@PughJhpugh13) September 11, 2019
Congrats. Now to keep hold of him. We need goal keepers.
— Leanne (@lensawag1) September 11, 2019
Future number 1 ????
— Jake (@JakeWBA97) September 11, 2019
Brilliant signing and club deserve credit it securing Josh in a long term deal. Congratulations Josh ????????
— Carl 1878 ???????????????????? (@baggyboy1878) September 11, 2019
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